An API key allows applications such as OpenCRM, automation platforms, integrations, and custom AI tools to securely connect to an AI provider on your behalf.

1. Sign in to (or create an account with) OpenRouter at openrouter.ai.
2. Go to Settings → API Keys.
3. Click Create Key.
4. Give the key a meaningful name (for example “OpenCRM Production”) and, if you wish, set a credit limit for the key.
5. If you are not using BYOK, add credits to your account.
6. Copy the key immediately and store it securely.

sk-or-v1-xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Maybe. If you use OpenRouter's own provider access, you do: OpenRouter is prepaid, usage is deducted from the credits on your account, and requests will fail if your balance reaches zero even though the key itself is valid.

If you use BYOK (Bring Your Own Key) and connect your own provider account, you do not need to add credits to OpenRouter, because usage is billed by that provider.

1. Sign in to the Anthropic Console at console.anthropic.com.
2. Select your organisation and workspace.
3. Go to API Keys.
4. Click Create Key.
5. Give the key a meaningful name (for example “OpenCRM Production”).
6. Copy the key immediately and store it securely.

sk-ant-api03-xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

No. Claude API access is separate from Claude Pro or Claude Team subscriptions. API usage is billed based on consumption.

1. Sign in to the OpenAI Platform at platform.openai.com.
2. Go to Dashboard → API Keys.
3. Click Create new secret key.
4. Enter a name for the key.
5. Copy the key and store it securely.

Either of these formats:

sk-proj-xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

sk-xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

No. ChatGPT Plus and API access are separate products. API usage is billed independently.

1. Sign in to Google AI Studio at aistudio.google.com with your Google account.
2. Click Get API key.
3. Click Create API key.
4. Give the key a name and choose a Google Cloud project (or create a new one).
5. Copy the key and store it securely.

AIzaSyxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

No. Gemini app subscriptions and Gemini API access are separate. Google offers a free tier with usage limits, and paid API usage is billed based on consumption through a Google Cloud billing account.

1. Sign in to the xAI Console at console.x.ai.
2. Go to API Keys.
3. Click Create API Key.
4. Enter a name for the key.
5. Copy and securely store the generated key.

xai-xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

No. Grok subscriptions and xAI API access are separate services. API usage is billed according to consumption.

• Store it in a password manager or secure secrets vault.
• Restrict access to authorised personnel only.
• Rotate keys if they are accidentally exposed.

• Send API keys by email.
• Include API keys in screenshots or documentation.
• Hard-code API keys into publicly accessible websites or repositories.

Check that:

• The key was copied correctly.
• Billing has been enabled on the account.
• The key has not been revoked or deleted.
• The application is connecting to the correct provider.

Yes. However, many organisations create separate keys for each system or environment (for example Production, Testing, Development) to simplify monitoring and security.

Yes. All five providers allow API keys to be deleted or regenerated from their respective management consoles.